Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

“Is Johnny okay?” “Well,” she said, worrying her lip. “He’s a little off form right now, love.” Oh god. Concern burst to life inside of me. “Can I see him?” I forced myself to be brave and ask. Mrs. Kavanagh frowned. “Please? I’ll be really quick,” I begged, hoping his mother would take mercy on my fragile heart. “I just need to see him…uh, I mean, I need to check that he’s…okay.” With a heavy sigh, Mrs. Kavanagh nodded and gestured for me to go inside. On unsteady feet, I walked into the dark room, illuminated only by the lights of the city shining in from the other side of the windowpane. My eyes immediately darted to the bed in the middle of the room. There was a man sitting in a chair to Johnny’s right, and Gibsie was standing to his left. I instantly recognized the man as the one from the photograph in Johnny’s room that day. The hero. His father was holding Johnny’s hand, sitting right by his bedside, and looking like his son thirty years into the future. Meanwhile, I just stood there in the middle of his hospital room, with my heart hammering in my chest and my eyes glued to his slumped body. “Hi, Johnny,” I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da,” Johnny slurred, clutching his chest. “I’m done for.” His choice of words caused Gibsie to laugh loudly and Mrs. Kavanagh, who had rejoined us, to groan in despair. “Bring the lights back, Da,” Johnny instructed, slurring his words. “Light up the world. You need to see this girl.” “Johnny,...